Mario Balotelli had threatened to storm off the pitch in protest if he was
racially abused at the European Championship, but it was his manager Cesare
Prandelli who hauled him off against Spain.

While the world and European champions chose to dispense with footballing convention and name a team without a striker, Italy ensured the game would not be lacking centre-forward interest by picking a No 9 who it is difficult to take your eyes off.

At just 21, much is expected of the adopted son of Ghanaian immigrants for both club and country, although for a supposed superstar he continues to attract more headlines for his eccentricities than his match-winning with either Manchester City or Italy.

Balotelli became little more than a supporting cast member as City edged rivals United for the Premier League title, a victim of Carlos Tevez’s return and two costly bans for ill-discipline, and he rarely threatened to steal the show on Sunday. He has hardly been out of the news during the build-up to the Azzurri’s campaign, yet he disappeared against Spain.

His tournament preparations have included poisonous racist abuse from a far-right group in Italy, as well as plenty of lavish praise from inside the Italian camp.

Thankfully there was no audible abuse towards him inside the gleaming Gdansk Arena, a pretty stadium surrounded by an ugly building site. So much for the famed efficiency of Polish builders, this has the distinct feel of a job half finished.

But in terms of making an impression on the game, Balotelli was overshadowed by his strike partner, AC Milan’s Antonio Cassano.

It was Cassano who went closest to opening the scoring in the first half, dragging one shot just wide on the turn with Balotelli failing to anticipate its direction, and forcing a fine save from Iker Casillas with another 10 minutes before half-time.

That at least belatedly brought Balotelli to everyone’s attention, the sound of the referee’s whistle for a foul on Gerard Pique as he tried to collect the rebound leading to a showy strop as he pumped his fist repeatedly in anger.

The Spanish fans loved the histrionics and howled their delight. Referee Viktor Kassai did not and, having given him a verbal warning for the show of dissent, rather harshly booked him moments later for a foul on Jordi Alba.

The amateur dramatics were more in keeping with a spoilt child unhappy at being ignored at a family party than a player on whom his team were relying up front.

Worse was to follow in the second half. Having initially done well to steal possession from Sergio Ramos, Balotelli dithered and dallied as he ran in on goal and allowed the defender to recover and steal the ball back.

Prandelli’s patience snapped, Balotelli was replaced by Antonio Di Natale and the Udinese striker announced his arrival with a goal to give Italy a deserved lead. Balotelli sat on the bench, an actor who had fluffed his lines.

If there was one consolation, it was that Fernando Torres was even worse.